Skip to main content

Search Wellbeing

Cancel
Home

Top Navigation

  • Our Partners
  • Contact
  • About Us

Help Phone Lines

If you are in need of immediate help, call 9-1-1.

Crisis Line

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

Call if you are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide.

310 Mental Health Support

310-6789 (NO AREA CODE)

Call for emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health.

KUU-US Crisis Response Service

1-800-588-8717

Call for culturally-aware crisis support for Indigenous peoples in B.C.

Wellbeing

Main navigation

  • Wellbeing
    • Healthy Living
      • Eating Well
      • Staying Active
      • Sleep Habits
      • Mindfulness
    • Emotional
      • Resilience
      • Self-Esteem
      • Loneliness
    • Social
      • Stigma
      • Family
    Image
    Woman outside looking off to the right

    What is Mindfulness?

    You can use mindfulness every day. It’s a tool you can use at any time. It helps you slow down, accept things as they are, cope well with problems, and simply appreciate what’s in your life right now.

    Learn more
  • Mental health
    • Anxiety
      • What to Do About Anxiety
      • Panic Attacks
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Depression
      • Symptoms of Depression
      • What to Do About Depression
    • Stress
      • Symptoms of Stress
      • Managing Stress
    • Seeking Help
      • Families Supporting Youth
      • Youth Supporting Themselves
    • Self-Harm
    • Suicide
    Image
    Man sits on couch, looking at smart phone

    Getting Help for Depression

    At first, you may find depression hard to notice in yourself or someone else. Learn what you can do if you are experiencing depression.

    Learn more
  • Substance use
    • Types of Substance Use
      • Alcohol
      • Opioids
      • Stimulants
    • Addiction
      • Addiction and Health
      • Treatment and Recovery
    • Harm Reduction
      • Overdose Prevention
      • Naloxone
      • Drug Checking
    Image
    two men stand together outside

    StopOverdose BC

    The stigma around addiction makes it harder to ask for help. Make the connection. Have the conversation. Stop the stigma.

    Learn more

Main navigation

  • Wellbeing
    • Healthy Living
      • Eating Well
      • Staying Active
      • Sleep Habits
      • Mindfulness
    • Emotional
      • Resilience
      • Self-Esteem
      • Loneliness
    • Social
      • Stigma
      • Family
    Image
    Woman outside looking off to the right

    What is Mindfulness?

    You can use mindfulness every day. It’s a tool you can use at any time. It helps you slow down, accept things as they are, cope well with problems, and simply appreciate what’s in your life right now.

    Learn more
  • Mental health
    • Anxiety
      • What to Do About Anxiety
      • Panic Attacks
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Depression
      • Symptoms of Depression
      • What to Do About Depression
    • Stress
      • Symptoms of Stress
      • Managing Stress
    • Self-Harm
    • Suicide
    • Seeking Help
      • Families Supporting Youth
      • Youth Supporting Themselves
    Image
    Man sits on couch, looking at smart phone

    Getting Help for Depression

    At first, you may find depression hard to notice in yourself or someone else. Learn what you can do if you are experiencing depression.

    Learn more
  • Substance use
    • Types of Substance Use
      • Alcohol
      • Opioids
      • Stimulants
    • Addiction
      • Addiction and Health
      • Treatment and Recovery
    • Harm Reduction
      • Overdose Prevention
      • Naloxone
      • Drug Checking
    Image
    two men stand together outside

    StopOverdose BC

    The stigma around addiction makes it harder to ask for help. Make the connection. Have the conversation. Stop the stigma.

    Learn more

Top Navigation

  • Our Partners
  • Contact
  • About Us
Wellbeing

Youth Supporting Themselves

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Mental Health
  3. Seeking Help
  4. Youth Supporting Themselves

Mental health

  • Anxiety
    • What to Do About Anxiety
    • Panic Attacks
    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Depression
    • Symptoms of Depression
    • What to Do About Depression
  • Stress
    • Symptoms of Stress
    • Managing Stress
  • Self-Harm
  • Suicide
  • Seeking Help
    • Families Supporting Youth
    • Youth Supporting Themselves

As a young person you may at times want to get mental health or substance-use supports on your own.

This could be for a variety of reasons. You might feel like your family will react negatively, or you may have safety concerns. If this is the case, there are ways you can get help for yourself.  

If you are between 12 and 24 years old, you can reach out to Foundry BC. At Foundry BC, you can access services including counselling, peer support, substance-use services, groups, medical appointments, and help seeking employment. Foundry BC has in-person services in various communities across the province, as well as online services through their app, Foundry Virtual.

If you are 13 years old or older, you can attend an intake at a Child and Youth Mental Health clinic on your own or with the support of a trusted adult. An intake appointment is an in-person or virtual conversation with a counsellor to talk about what you are experiencing and the services that may help. The counsellor may recommend a number of options, including supports in the community, additional counselling options or referral to other professionals like a psychologist or therapist. You can learn more about what to expect during a Child and Youth Mental Health intake here. 

You could also consider reaching out to a helpline. This can be a good option if you need help right away. Helplines are also there for you if you just need someone understanding to talk to. Helplines are free, and some can even be accessed using online chat or text message for extra privacy. 
 

Your BC Services Card

You should know that some services require you to show your BC Services Card, also known as your MSP number or care card

You can write down the 10-digit “Personal Health Number” on the back of the card if you can’t bring the physical card with you

Taking a picture of the front and back of your card is another great option

Your school counsellor might also have access to your Services Card number if you don’t know where the card is kept

If you do not have access to your Services Card, you can discuss other options—other services might be available to you without your card

Previous
Next

 

Reaching out for help can be stressful or overwhelming at times—if possible, consider asking a friend, school counsellor or other supportive adult to come with you. 

Here are some places to start if you need some support. 

Additional Tips for Youth

Preparing for Appointments

Speaking to a doctor or counsellor for the first time can be intimidating, especially if you have never gone to an appointment alone before. It might be helpful to speak to a friend or trusted adult to help you prepare. You could also bring a list of questions to ask so you don’t forget.

Often young people think their questions are silly or not important—remember that you have the right to understand what is happening for you, and to learn about different options for support. Helping you understand this is part of a doctor or counsellor’s job.  

You can also ask someone to come with you to help remind you if you get anxious or nervous during appointments. 

Taking Notes

Often, getting support can feel complicated. There may be lots of information for you to remember. It is common for people to take notes during appointments—you can ask your doctor or counsellor to repeat information, or to explain words to you. A friend or trusted adult can also join you in your appointments to take notes if you need help. 

Updating Contact Information

The first time we visit a doctor or counsellor is often with our parents or guardians. If you have visited a provider with your family before, they may have your parent’s contact information on file. You can request that they change the contact information to your own phone number or email if you want to keep appointment reminders and other calls private. 

Can My Parents See When I Have an Appointment?

It is common for youth to worry that their parents will be able to see when they have visited a doctor or counsellor. Your BC Services Card does not track appointments—there is no website or account where your parents can see how many appointments you have had. You can discuss with the provider and their front desk staff whether they can tell your parents or guardians that you have had an appointment. 

Resources

Showing 6 Resources

Foundry Centres

Foundry

Offers health and social services for young people to access mental health care, substance use services, youth and family peer supports, primary care, and social services. Services are provided together in a single place to make it easier for young people to find the care, connection and support they need.<br /> <br />Centres provide safe, non-judgmental care, information and resources in a youth-friendly space and work to reach young people earlier - before health challenges become problematic.<br />

Multiple Locations

In Person
Learn More

Foundry Virtual

Foundry

Provides access to virtual services through an app and web portal for youth and their caregivers in BC. Services are free and confidential; no referral or assessment is needed.<br /><br />Use the app to drop-in or schedule a virtual counselling appointment, join a youth group or caregiver group, find peer support, or browse a library of tools and resources.

Virtual
Learn More

Child and Youth Mental Health Clinics

Free mental health clinics for children and youth in locations across B.C. 

In Person
Learn More

Youthspace

NEED2 Suicide Prevention, Education and Support

Offers an online support network to support youth and young adults in crisis. Volunteers offer risk assessment, emotional support, referrals to community resources, and help with creating safety plans. The network includes chat, text and a youth resource directory. Email counselling with a professional youth counsellor is also available.

Virtual
Learn More

Youth in BC Crisis Online Chat

Chat with a crisis responder online: chat is available from Noon to 1 am in B.C. and Yukon.

Telephone
Virtual
Learn More

Helpline for Children and Youth (MCFD)

A 24-hour helpline for children or youth who feel unsafe, confused, or scared and wish to talk with a social worker.

Telephone
Learn More

About

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy

Emergency Contact Information

Call 9-1-1 if you are in an emergency. For mental health support, call:

Crisis Line

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

Mental Health Support Line

310-6789 (no area code needed)

View in other languages

google translate icon
Copyright ©2021 – 2023

Emergency Contacts

Crisis Line

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

Mental Health Support

310-6789